Laundering apparatus



Dec. 19, ;1 933.

J.' S. JONES LAUNDERING APPARATUS Filed Dec. ;9, 1931 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1IN V EN TOR. (/0 EpzySz/owcxs BY a M A TTORNEY Dec. 19, 1933-.- J. s.JONES LAUNDERING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19, 193J.. 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

. I A /0$ PH5-JONES ATTORNEY Dec. 19, 1933. NE 1,940,549 I ugunnnnmc,Arman-us Filed Dec. 19, 1931 s Shegts-Sheet s INVENTOR.

// e/ 507/5 doubts i 'fiz Emmy"? A TTORNEY Patented Dec. 19, 1933LAUNDERING APPARATUS Joseph S. Jones, Oak Park, Ill., assignor toConsolidated Laundries Corporation, New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 19, 1931 SerialNo. 582,129

10 Claims.

My invention relates to laundrles, and comprises generally the provisionof apparatus for automatically effecting and controlling variouspredetermined operations for washing clothes in a washing receptacle,and maintaining proper "washing conditions from the time the clothes areplaced in the receptacle until the last step has been completed.

I believe that the best understanding of the nature and objects of theinvention can be had by first setting forth a general'description of theconstruction, arrangement, and operation of the mechanism employed. Ihave illustrated one embodiment of the invention in the accompany ingdrawings wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a wash wheel and tanksfor the washing solutions and the control and indicating board;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; r

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of controlling mechanism and theelectrical circuits for effecting operation thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the appad ratus for controllingthe admission )f water to a mixing tank;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the time cycle contactor forcontrolling the operation of variousparts of the mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the visible indicator to show what stepof the process is being effected; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of an alternate type of contactor aifordingvariation in a particular controlled step of the washing process.

For the purpose of a general preliminary explanation reference is madeto Fig. l, in which the letter C designates the casing of the wash wheelin which the foraminous cylinder W is mounted in usual manner foroscillating movement under the action of mechanism, not shown, operatedby the motor M. A tank MT may be conveniently mounted on the casing ofthe wash wheel to receive hot and cold water through the pipes. HW andCW connected to suitable sources of supply. A pipe MWleads from themixing tank into the wash wheel to carry the admixed hot and cold waterthereto. All of said pipesmay be provided with manually controlledvalves and to accomplish the purposes of my invention are provided withautomatic controlled valves, as will be hereinafter pointed out indetail. A tank SThaving a plurality of partitions dividing it into aplurality of compartments, is mounted above or convenient to the washwheel, and the 'nism will admit steam into the wash wheel compartments,each of which contains a washing solution, are connected by pipes P tothe wash wheel. Each-of the pipes is provided with an automaticcontrolled valve for controlling the supply of the washing solutions tothe wash Wheel, as will be hereinafter particularly pointed out. Thepipes leading from the supply tank ST to the wash wheel may also beprovided with manually controlled valves MV. A temperature responsivebulb E is mounted through the lower portion of the casing C tobe'disposed in the water, which is contained in the wash wheel. Acontrol board CB is located at any convenient point in the wash room andsupports mechanism for controlling valves HV and CV in the pipes leadingto the mixing tank MT, such mechanism being. indicated generally by theword Temp. on v the control board. There are also located on the controlboard, mechanism for controlling and recording the water level indicatedgenerally at WLC and for controlling and recording the temperature ofthe water within the wash wheel indicated generally at TC.

When the switch S on the control board is closed, the motor M isactuated through circuits hereinafter described, to oscillate thecylinder W. Valves HV and CV are operated to admit water to the mixingtank MT, and subsequently the water is admitted from the tank MT intothe wash wheel until the proper level is reached after which selectedautomatic valves in the pipes P open to admit the proper amount ofsolutions from the compartments in tank ST either individually or two ormore at once. The wash wheel W is oscillated with the clothes therein,and the temperature of the water within the casing C is properlymaintained by the mechanism connected to bulb E, which mechathrough pipeSS if the temperature falls below the predetermined desired degree.After the clothes have been subjected to the action of the watercontaining the solutions for a predetermined time, the dump valve DV isopened to drain the water out, and after the water has been drained ofland most of the mechanism is .automatically shut off the proper amountof water from the mixing. tank MT is again admitted to the oasingandwash wheel, and the valve or 5 valves from the proper compartmentscontaining the washing solutions are again opened to admit apredetermined amount of washing solution or solutions to the wash wheel,and the operation is repeated until the clothes have been ing a completelaundering cycle comprising a,

plurality of successive operations and durin which no manual: labor isinvolved from the time the clothes are placed in the washing receptacleuntil they are removed.

Some of the main specific objects of the in-' vention are first, theprovision of means for controlling and recording the level andtemperature of the water in the wash wheel for dinerent steps in thewashing cycle; the provision of means for automatically varying thecontrol of the quantity and temperature of the water in. the washingreceptacle for various steps in the cycle; the provision of a singleoperating medium for the means for controlling the admission of waterand washing solutions .and the means for varying the quantity andtemperature of the water whereby a compact and cheaply operated unit ishad.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following detailed description of theembodiment of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of operating all of the various parts at the proper timeand in sequence, I pro- 'vide a time contactor mechanism for opening andclosing various electric circuits, and, in connection with suchmechanism, means for automatically setting the temperature and waterlevel controlling mechanism for various steps in the washing operation.As mentioned, such mechanism is preferably mounted on the control board013 and may comprise, as shown in Fig. 5, a shaft 1 on which are mountedfor rotation therewith a plurality of discs 2 of insulating materialhaving on their outer surfaces, conducting elements 3 from whichconductors (not shown) lead through the discs 2 to the shaft 1. As shownin Fig. 3 the shaft 1 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 4 at one end andhas a gear 5 on its other end, said gear meshing with other gears 6which in turn mesh with the gear '7 driven'by a motor 8.

The cycle motor disc 9 has its outer periphery covered almost entirelywith a conducting material to control the motor 8 through the followingcircuits. A wire 10 is connected to one side of the motor and to onewire 11 of the main circuit, while a wire 12 is connected to the otherside of the motor and to the push button switch S which is connectedthrough the wire 14 tothe other wire 15 of the main circuit. The wire 12is connected at 16 to a wire 1'7 leading to one terminal 19 of a socketfor a lamp 20. The fixed contact member 21, which engages the conductingsurface on the disc 9, is connected by the wire 22 to the other terminal23 of the socket for the lamp 20, so that when the push button switch Sis closed current will flow from the wire 15 through the wire 14, pushbutton switch, wire 12, motor, and wire 10 to the other wire 11 of themain circuit to initially start the motor to rotate the shaft 1suiiiciently to rotate the disc 9 until the conducting surface on thedisc 9 is engaged by the contact 21, after which the push button isreleased and current flows through contact 21, wire 22, lamp 20, wires1'7 and 12, the motor, and wire 10, the circuit being completed throughthe conducting surface of the disc 9, conductor in the disc leading tothe shaft 1, shaft 1, contact 24,

wire 25 and main circuit wires 11 and 15. As long as the currentcontinues to flow through said circuit, the shaft 1 will rotate untilthe disc 9 has completed a revolution at which time the nonconductingportion thereon is engaged by the contact 21, at which time the circuitwill be broken and the motor 8 and parts operated thereby will stop.

Referringto h'ig. 5, it will be noted that the conducting lggocks 3which form the movable contact members "areof difierent lengths ondifferent discs so that as they are rotated with the disc and engagefixed contacts such as indicated at 3'. in Fig. 3, the current will flowtherethrough and through circuits connected with the fixed contacts 3'for different intervals of time. In some in stances the circuits will beestablish simultaneously and in others successively as hereinafterdescribed.

The wash wheel disc is similar in construction to the cycle motor disc 9having its outer periphery covered by a conducting band except for aslight space indicated at 26 in Fig. 5, sothat as the shaft 1 rotates,the fixed contact 2'7, Fig. 3, will be in engagement with'the conductingsurface on the wash wheel disc to establish a circuit through wires 15,25, contact 24, shaft 1, the conducting surface of the wash wheel disc,contact 27, wire 28, which is connected to the motor M, and through themotor and wire 30 to the wire 11 of the main circuit, so that the motorM will operate to effect oscillating movement of the cylinder W, aspreviously described, during the entire washing cycle.

The first step in the washing cycle is to admit water to the wash wheelup to the proper level for the initial washing, and to accomplish this,

I have provided the arrangement shown in detail in Fig. 4, whereineachof the valves HV and CV which are connected into the hot water pipe 5 HWand the cold water. pipe CW respectively, which pipes lead intothemixing tank MT, are opened and closed by the temperature controllingmechanism comprising an arm 32 which is connected at 33 to one end of alink 34 which extends down to and is connected with one end of a lever35 the other end of which rides on the outer surface of a cam wheel 36mounted on the shaft 1 (Fig. 3) for rotation therewith." As the positionof the lever 35 is changed by its engagement with 25 the variations onthe face of the cam 36, the link 34 turns the arm 32 to positionsdetermined by the formation of the surface of the cam wheel 36. The arm32 is connected by pivoted links 3'7, 38, to the pivoted baflie support39, and by the links 40, 41 to another pivoted battle support 42 atopare mounted through supports 46 to abut one end of the baflles for thepurpose of adjusting the same relative to ports 4'7 and 48 of airconduits 49 and 50 of an air pressure valve operating system for thevalves I-IV and CV respectively. The conduit 49 leads into a passage 51in the block 52 which passage is in communication with an expansiblechamber 53 on thetop of which is mounted a stem 54 to engage with a ballvalve 55. A conduit 56 leads from a source of air under pressure into apassage 57 in the block 52 communicating with the passage 51 and withanother passage 58 leading to the chamber 59 in which the ball valve 55is mounted. A conduit 60 leads from the chamber 59 in the block 52 tothe 150 chamber 61 in the .top of the valve HV, said chamber beingformed by the flexible gasket 62 beneath which is the valve stem support63 for the stem 64 to the lower end of which is secured the valve head65 to cooperate with the seat 66. A spring 67 mounted around the stem 64normally urges the valve stem 64 upwardly to bring the valve head65against the seat 66. The conduit leads to an identical arrangementindicated generally at 68 for controlling the supply of cold waterthrough the pipe CW, the cold water valve CV being shown in Fig. 4 inclosed position. A temperature responsive bulb 69 is mounted through thewall of the mixing tank MT and is connected to a capillary tube 70leading to a coil 71 which will contract and expand under the infiuenceof temperatures communicated thereto from the temperature responsivebulb 69 through the tube 70. The free end of the coil '71 is connectedby a link 72 to an arm 73 which is connected at its upper end to thelinks 74 and 75, which in'turn are connected to the members 39 and 42respectively. In each of the conduits 49 and 50 is interposed a valveoperated by solenoids 76.which solenoids are connected with a wire 77,(see Fig. 3) leading to the main circuit wire 11 and to a wire 78leading to a fixed contact 79 which is disposed .on the hot and coldwater disc 80, the conducting surface of which is electrically connectedwith the shaft 1 'to complete a circuit therethrough and through thecontact 24 and wire 25 to the wire 15. of the main circuit.

Obviously, when the shaft 1 rotates the disc 80 to bring the conductingsurface against the contact 79, the solenoids will be energized to openthe valves in the conduits 49 and 50, sothat air from the main supplypipe 81, shown in Fig. 3, will flow through the conduits and through thepassages in the blocks 52 and 68, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, while at thesame time the cam disc 36 will be rotated to set the arm 32 through link34 at predetermined points for regulating the baflles 43, 44, relativeto the ports 47 and 48. Assuming that the adjustment is that shown inFig. 4 with the port 48 closed, the main supply of compressed air entersthe passages in the block 52 through the pipe 56 and passes throughpassage 58 in conduit into the chamber 61, pressing the diaphragm 62 andthe valve stem down to open the valve head relative to the seat 66, sothat hot water is being admitted to the mixing tank. When thetemperature of the water is too high the bulb 69 will cause the coil 71to expand, moving the arm 73 through link 72, and the arm 73 through thelink and member 42 moves the baflie 44 to uncover the port 48 so thatthe pressure in the block 68 which is suflicient to expand the chambercorresponding to chamber 53 operating the stem which eng'agesflth'e ballvalve, will be relieved and the ball will drop and permit the air toflow directly to the top of the valve CV and to press the diaphragm toopen the valve in the cold water pipe.

In order to admit the water from the tank MT to the wash wheel, there isprovided a conduit MW, Fig. 3, communicating into the wash wheel fromthe mixing tank and in this conduit is mounted a valve 83 similar to thevalves HV and CV in construction and operated by similar apparatus showndiagrammatically in Fig. 3 as comprising a block 84 identical to block52 and having air passages therein, one of which communcates with apipe85 leading into the top of the valve 83, another of which communicateswith. a pipe 86 leading into the main air supply pipe 81 and the thirdof which communicates with a pipe 87 terminating in a port 88 adjacentthe bafile 89. The support 90 for the baflie 89 is connected with arecording arm 91 which correspondsto the arm 73 described in connectionwith Fig. 4, but which carries a pen or marker to record on a chart 92.A setting arm 93 is connected by a link 94 with a lever 95 operated by acam wheel 96 on the shaft 1 similar to the cam wheel 36 and which wheelautomatically sets the arm 93 at predetermined points'for differentoperations. This mechanism is to control the level of water in the washwheel, and a tube 97 is connected by a pipe 98 into the bottom of thewash wheel, so that as water flows into the wash wheel, it will risealso in the tube 97, from the top of which a capillary tube 99 leads toan exis connected by link 101 with the recording arm v 91. The coil isadjusted so that when the proper level has been reached the pressurecommunicated thereto through the tube 99 will cause it to move .the arm91 throughthe link 101 to close the baiile and through the air systemcontrolled by the baiiie to close the valve 83. Any variations in thelevel will be communicated from tube 97 through capillary 99 and thecoil to the arm 91 which will record the level for each step in theoperation on a permanent chart 92 and operate baffle 89 to maintain theproper level in the wash wheel.

There is a solenoid 102 operating a valve in the pipe 87, the solenoidbeing connected to the wire 77 which leads to the wire 11 of the maincircuit and to a wire 103 which leads to a contact 104 engaging thelevel control disc on the shaft 1 so that the circuit in which thesolenoid is connected is completed through the wires 11, 77, 103,contact 104, contact surface of the fill valve disc, shaft 1, contact24, and wires 25 and 15.

I provide in the steam pipe ST leading from a source of steam supply,not shown, into the wash wheel, a valve 106 similar to the valve 83. Atemperature responsive bulb or element 107 is mounted in the lower partof the wash wheel and is connected by capillary tube 109 to a coil 110,which is connected by a link 111 with the temperature control andrecording mechanism indicated generally at 112,,identical inconstruction and operation with the level control and recordingmechanism to which the link 101 connects the coil 100. The mechanism 112includes the recording arm 113 which operates exactly in the manner thatthe arm 91 operates and which records on the disc 114, variations in thetemperature of the water in the wash wheel as indicated through thecapillary 109 from the element 107.

and 94, previously described. A solenoid 118 controls a valve in the airline 112' of the mechanism 112, in the'same manner as the solenoid 102,being connected by wire 119 with the contact 120 which cooperates withthe wheel temp. disc on the shaft 1 and by the wire 121 with the wire 11of the main circuit, it being understood that the air line controllingthe mechanism 112 is opened.

The temperature of'the water admitted to thewash wheel is communicatedbythe element 107 through the capillary 109 to operate the coil 110 tomove the arm 113 through the link 111 to cause the valve 106 to beopened in the same manner described in connection with valve 83, itbeing noted that an air pipe 122 leads to the valve 106 from thetemperature control and recording mechanism, and movements of therecording arm 113 relative to the arm which has been set by link 115efiect opening and closing of the valve 106 to admit-steam to'the washwheel to raise the temperature of the'water whennecessary and to cut offadmission of the steam to the wash wheel when the water is at thetemperature corresponding to that called for by the setting of the 1recording mechanism through the cam disc 117 and link 115. v

The compartments 123, 124, 125, 126 and 127 in bleach, blue, and sour,respectively, and each of the pipes P leading from said compartmentsinto the wash wheel is provided with a motor oper-r ated valve 129, andthat which is mounted in connection with the pipe leading from the soapcompartment 123 is connected by a wire 130 with the contact 3'cooperating with the soap disc on the shaft 1 and by wire 131 with thewire 30 leading from the motor M to the wire 11 of the main circuit.Each of the other motor operated valves 129 is connected to the wire 131and by wires 132, 133, 134, 135, to the soda, bleach, blue and sourdiscs, respectively, on the shaft 1. On top of the tank ST are fourmotors 136 each connected to the wire 137 leading to the-contact 138ccoperating with the agitator disc on the shaft 1,

and to wire 139 leading to the wire 11 of the main,

circuit. These motors drive shafts 140 on which are mounted agitators141 which-keep the soap, soda, blue and sour solutions well mixed.

Withineach of the compartments 123, 124, 125, 126 and 127, are mountedlow level alarms 142 which may be of any standard or suitableconstruction wherein a float or the equivalent will close an electriccircuit to operate an alarm when the solutions have reached apredetermined low level. I prefer to provide both audible and visiblesignals in electrical circuits with the apparatus 142 so that theoperator will be warned by the operation of the audible signal of a lowlevel in one or'more of the compartments and can determine in which thelow level exists by a particular visible indicator in connection witheach of the compartments. This is effected by connecting a hell or otherelectrically operated audible sig-. nalling device 143 through wire 144with the con tact 145 cooperating with the alarm disc on the shaft 1 andthe wire 146 connected to one terminal of each of the lamps 147, 148,149, 150 and 151 for the compartments 123, 124, 125, 126 and 127respectively, the other terminals of the lamps being connectedrespectively through wires 152, 153, 154, 155-'an d- 156 to one terminalof each of the float operated switches 142, the other terminals of eachof said switchesbeing, connected the supply tank ST may contain soap,soda,v

to a wire 157 leading to the wire 30 and thence to the wire 11 of themain circuit.

After each operation within the wash wheel, it is necessary to dischargethe water therefrom, and this is eflected through the medium of the vdump valve DV which is controlled by rod 158 on the end of which is'apiston 159' in the casing 159. An air pipe 160 leads from the supplypipe 81 into the casing 159 and the admission of air to operate thepiston and rod 158 is controlled by the valve 160' located in casing159, and operated by a solenoid 161 which is connected by the wire 162to the contact 163 cooperating with the dump valve disc on the shaft 1,and by the wire 164 to the wire 11 of the main circuit.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, wherein the discs shown are merely forthe purpose of illustration and are not arranged in the same relativeorder as in Fig. 3, it will be noted that the contact blocks 3 on thevarious discs are of diflferentw lengths and arranged on the respectivediscs some in alinement with blocks on other discs, and some instaggered relation to blockson other discs. For instance, the contacts 3on the soap disc are relatively short and spaced apart a considerabledistance. The same is true of the contacts on the dumping disc. Theextent of the discs on the contacts on the fsoap disc is determined bythe quantity of soap desired for each operation, as with the initialwashing a considerable quantity of soap is to be admitted and as long asthe contact on the soap disc is engaging the contact 3' connected withthe wire 130, the valve operated by the motor 129 will be open to admitsoap into the wash wheel. For the next washing a less amount of Soap maybe desired, and in that case the second contact'3 on the soap disc willbe shorter than the first contact and so proportioned that the valveoperating motor 129 will operate to hold the valve open a shorter lengthof time. Referring to the dumping disc, it will be noted that thecontacts thereon are also relatively short and spaced apart aconsiderable distance. The spacing is sufiicient to maintain the dumpvalve closed during a particular washing, bleaching, or other operation,and the contact is of sufficient extent to close the circuit in whichthe solenoid 161 is connected a sumcient time to hold the dump-valveopen until all of the fluid used in the wash wheel during a particularoperation to drain fromthe wash wheel? It will also be noted that thecontact on the wash wheel disc and the agitator disc covers practicallythe entire periphery of the disc, because the .parts which are operatedby the circuits controlled 'the circuits in which the solenoids 76, 102,and

118, are interposed Mill be interrupted, it being understood that thesecircuits are controlled by the temperature control disc, level controldisc and wash wheel temperature disc, as previously explained inconnection with the temperature control, level control and recorder, andtemperaturecontrol and recorder mechanisms. Thus,

when the water is being drained from the wash wheel, the valves HV, CV,83 and 106, will all be positively closed.

It will be understood that when draining the wash wheel, the contacts onthe soap, soda, bleach, blue and sour discs will also be out ofalinement with the contacts on the dumping disc so that none of thesolutions will be admitted to the.

wash wheel during dumping. It will also be understood that theconstruction of the soda,

bleach, blue, and sour discs is substantially similar to the soap' disc,and that the relative arrangement of the contacts thereon with respectto each other is such that it is possible to obtain collective orindividual control of the admission of these solutions to the washwheel. In other words, soap and soda may be admitted at the same timefor a single operation or one may be admitted independently of the otheraccording to the arrangement of the discs for the particular step in thecycle. The arrangement of the contacts on the discs controlling thesesolutions is made according to the formula employed in a complete cycle.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The push button S isdepressed to establish a cirouit from the wire 11, through wire 10,motor 8, and wires 12, 14 and 15, so that the cycle motor disc which issimilar in construction to the wash wheel disc is initially moved untilthe contact 21 is on the conducting surface of said disc, at which timethe lamp 20 lights as the circuit operating the motor 8 is establishedfrom wire 11,

22, contact 21, conducting surface and conductors on and in the cyclemotor disc respectively, to shaft 1, contact 24, and through wire 25 towire 15.

The push button is now released. We will assume that the gears 6 arecalculated to rotate the discs and shaft 1 through one revolution over aperiod of 90 minutes.

As the shaft 1 rotates, the discs 36, 96 and 11'! also rotate and theprojections and detents thereon move the levers 35, 95 and 116respectively to predetermined positions setting the arms 32, 93 and 113at predetermined points for eachstep in the cycle to provide for apredetermined temperature of the water in the mixing tank, the level ofthe' water in the wash wheel, and the temperature of the water inthewash wheel as previously explained. At the same time the discs indicatedas wheel templ, level control, and temp. control are rotated and theconducting blocks therein come into contact with the contacts 120, 104and 79 so that the circuits controlled thereby are established and thesolenoids 76, 102 and 118 are energized to open the valves controlledthereby. Also at this time, the wash wheel disc, alarm disc and agitatordisc, all of which have a substantially continuous conducting surfaceare rotated to close the circuits in which they are interposed anddescribed in detail hereinbefore.

When the temperature control mechanism is thus operating the valves HVand CV,hot and cold water, either alternately or simultaneously,

are being admitted to the mixing tank ,and the temperature thereof isaffecting the bulb 69.

which will control the operation of the baflles 43 and 44 ashereinbefore explained. When the mixing tank MT is filled, the waterwill pass through the pipe MW into the wash wheel as the levercontrol'and recorder mechanism has functioned, when the solenoid 102opened the valve water has reached the proper level in the wash wheelas-determined by the setting of arm 93 by the particular formation onthe cam disc 96 for the first step in the cycle,-the coil 100 will beoperated through the capillary 99 as previously explained, to move therecording arm 91 over and in register with the said arm 93. at whichtime the valve 83 will be closed. As the disc 92 rotates, the arm 91will record thereon the level for the first washing operation. As thewater comes into the wash wheel, its temperature is communicated throughbulb 107 and capillary 109, to, coil 110 which moves the arm 113 throughlink 111 toward the set arm 123, and until the arm -113 is brought intoregister with the arm 113' the valve 106 is open and steam is beingadmitted into the wash wheel to raise the temperature of the water, andwhen the water tion may be continuous throughout the whole cycle.

Assuming that the firststep in the washing.

cycle is to admit water to the wash wheel up to the proper level and atthe proper temperature as previously explained and to admit soap andsoda to the wash wheel either at the same time that the water is beingadmitted orthereafter according to the relative positions of theconducting blocks on the discs controlling the soda and soap valves 129,it should be apparent that as the shaft rotates, this condition is hadunder the construction and operation hereinabove given. When the properamount of soap and soda and water has been admitted to the wash wheel,the valve 83 is closed and the conducting blocks on the soap and sodadiscs have moved out of con tact with the contacts 3' in the respectivecircuits controlling the valve operating motors 129.

The clothes in the cylinder W are agitated in the solutions of water,soap and soda; as long as the contact 163 on the dumping valve disc isout of contact with theconducting blocks thereon. When, however, thecontact 163 comes into contact with the conducting block a circuit inwhich the solenoid 161 is mounted is established so that the solenoid isenergized and operates the valve in casing 159 to open the dumping valveto permit the water which has'been admixed with the soap and soda in thefirst operation to drain from the wash wheel. At that same instant, theconducting'blocks on the steam, fill valve, and HC water discs move fromcontact with the con tacts 120, 134, and 79 respectively as previouslyexplained, -so that the solenoids 76, 102 and 118 close the valves inpipes 49, 50, 87 and 112' causing the temperature control mechanism toclose valves HV and CV and causing the level control and recordermechanism to close the valve 83 and causing the temperature control andrecording mechanism to close the valve 106. It will be understood thatthe valves 129 are also closed while the dumping valve is open, and itseems 147, 148, 149, 150 and 151 and the agitators 141 are Operatingduring the dumping as well as during the washing and. other steps.

The next step in the cycle may call only for the admission of soap andwater, andall of the parts previously described, in connection with stepone will operate in exactly the same manner'for step 2 except that thevalve controlling the soda will not be opened. When the second step iscompleted the water is again drained and the various parts are operatedby their respective discs in the manner described in connection with thedumping after the first step.

It 'may be desirable to indicate the stage of the particular'step in thecycle at all. times and to accomplish this I may provide on the end ofshaft 1 and visible at the. front of the control board, the indicator1'70,- which, as shownin Fig. 6, comprises a plurality of segmentalsheets 1'71 mounted on the hub of the bearing 4 in overlapping relationand in front of which is a pointer 172 connected to the shaft 1 forrotation therewith. Each of the segments 1'71 may be adjusted withrespect to the adjacent segments so that the amount of surfaceof eachsegment exposed will correspond to the movement of the shaft 1 andpointer 1'72 for theparticular step which the segment represents.

Instead of providing one disc with a plurality of fixed contact blocks 3each representing and effecting aparticular movement-at different timesof a given part, I may provide an adjustable cam disc for each operationof a single part, that is to say there would be a cam disc such as shownin Fig. '7 and indicated by the numeral 1'75 composed of two plates 1'76and 17'? each having similar shoulders 1'78 and 1.79 facing in the samedirection and movable toward or away from each other when the plates1'76 and 1'77-or either of them is turned on the shaft 1A, whichcorresponds to shaft 10f Fig. 5. Such a cam disc would operate thecircuit maker and breaker comprising a block 180 to which is secured theresilient conducting armsl81 and 182 each carrying a contact point 183in confronting alined relation. The long arm 181 has at its end adepending portion 184, while the shorter arm has a similar portion 185for engagement with the outer surfaces of the plates 176 and 177respectively.

As the disc rotates with the portion 184 resting on the surface of theplate 176 the contact points are spaced apart whereas when the portion184 drops off. of the shoulder 1'78 the contact points are broughttogether and the circuit is established 4 from the shaft through thedisc, contact points,

and arms 181 and 182 to the wires 186 leading to the parts operated andto the main circuit. When, however, the disc 177 is rotated further theportion 185 will eventually drop ofl? of the shoulder 1'79 and thecircuit will be broken. Under such a construction and arrangement therewould be a great number of discs on the shaft arranged in differentrelative positions but there would be a greater possibility of obtainingor varying different formulas.

An important feature of the provision of the recording mechanism is thatthere will be a permanent record for each laundering cycle so thatreference may be had thereto at any time for comparison of differentoperations or to check up on the results obtained under one formula, asthey will show the water level and temperature for the different stepsthroughout the entire cycle.

The invention may be applied to a y WP 01 existing washers, or, ofcourse, newly constructed washers of which they can be built as a part.

I wish it to be understood, and I'think it is perfectly obvious, thatinstead of having the valves for the respective solution compartmentsoperated by motors 129, such valves may also be operated by fluidpressure electrically controlled valves such as the valve 106, or theymay be operated by solenoids such as the valve 161, so long as they areheld'open a predetermined period of time to permit a predeterminedquantity of the respective solutions for each step to be admitted intothe washing receptacle. 7

It will also be understood that while I have described the valves HV,CV, 83, and 106, as being operated by air, these valves may be operatedby any other suitable fluids.

I wish it to also be understood that while I have described theinvention as laundering apparatus" I deem such term to include drycleaning, rug scouring and cleaning, and the like, for it is possibletoomit some of the parts and just control the admission of a suitablefluid or fluids in a predetermined quantity or quan-' tities and/or atpredetermined temperature or temperatures, and I-have claimed theinvention to include dry cleaning, scouring, and other apparatus forlike purposes.

- I claim:

1. In laundering apparatus for effecting and controlling a succession ofwashing operations and including a washing receptacle, a plurality ofreceptacles containing washing solutions, conduits leading from saidsolution receptacles into the washing receptacles, an electricallycontrolled I valve in each of said conduits, a pim leading from a sourceof water supplyinto the receptacle, an electrically controlled valve insaid pipe, a plurality of rotatable discs carrying electrical contactblocks for closing and opening electrical circuits controlling saidvalves for each operation, means for controlling and recording theamount of water in the washing receptacle during each operation, meansfor automatically setting said controlling means for each step in thewashing cycle, means for rotating all of said discs, saidlast means alsooperating the means for setting the water controlling means.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the means for setting saidcontrolling means comprise cam discs, and said cam discs and contactdiscs are carried by a common shaft.

3. In automatic laundering apparatus including a washing receptacle, aconduit leading into said receptacle from a water supply, means forcontrolling the level of the water in saidwashing receptacle for aplurality of successive steps in a laundering Y cycle, said meanscomprising a valve in the conduit, actuating mechanism for opening andclosing said valve, a, set arm in 35 said mechanism, a cam member, aconnection between said cam member and set arm for moving the arm topositions determined by said. cam member, a second arm movable withrespect to the first arm and connected to said valve actuatingmechanism, and means responsive to rise of water in the receptacle foractuating said second arm.

4. In an automatic laundering apparatus including a washing receptacleto receive water, means for controlling the temperature of the water insaid washing receptacle during a plurality of successive steps in alaundering cycle. said means comprising a conduit leading from .a sourceof' steam supply into thereceptaclaa 150.

valve in the conduit, actuating mechanism for opening and closing saidvalve, a set arm in said mechanism, a cam member, a connection betweensaid cam member and said arm for moving the arm to positions determinedby said cam member, a second arm movable with respect to the first armand connected .to said valve actuating mechanism, and means responsiveto the temperature of the water in the receptacle for actuating saidsecond arm.

5. In apparatus for effecting and controlling a plurality of successivelaundering operations in laundering cycle, a washing receptacle having awater inlet, a valve to control the flow of water into the receptacle,means operable throughout the cycle to open the said valve forpredetermined intervals prior to each operation to admit water to thereceptacle, means responsive to the level of water in the receptacle toopen and close said valve, and means operable by said last means forrecording the level of the water in the receptacle for each operation.

6. In apparatus for effecting and controlling a plurality of successiveoperations in a laundering cycle, a washing receptacle, means foradmitting fluid thereto for each operation, means for imparting heat tothe fluid in the receptacle, means operable throughout the cycle duringeach operation for controlling said second means for each operation, andmeans responsive to the temperature of the fluid in the receptacleduring each operation for operating said second means.

7. In apparatus for efiecting and controlling a plurality of successiveoperations in a laundering cycle, a washing receptacle, means foradmitting fluid thereto for each operation, means for imparting heat tothe fluid in the receptacle, means operable throughout the cycle duringeach operation for-controlling said second means for each operation,means responsive to the temperature of the fluid in the receptacleduring each operation for operating said second means, and meansoperable by said last means for recording the temperature of the fluidin the receptacle during each operation.

8. Apparatus for effecting and controlling a plurality of washingoperations successivelyin a laundering cycle, comprising a washingreceptacle having a water inlet and a fluid outlet, a'plurality ofreceptacles containing washing solutions, conduits leading from each ofsaid solution receptacles into the washing receptacle, an electricallycontrolled valve for each conduit, a plurality of rotatable discscarrying electrical contacts for opening and closing said valves atpredetermined intervals during the cycle, means for rotating said discs,means for admitting a predetermined amount of water to the washingreceptacle for each operation, means for controlling the temperature ofthe water in the receptacle for each operation, said last two meansbeing operable by said disc rotating means, and means also operable bysaid disc rotating means for discharging water through said outlet aftereach operation.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising a receptacle toreceive the articles to be cleaned, means for admitting fluid thereto,means for maintaining the fluid in the receptacle at a predeterminedtemperature, and means for discharging the fluid from the receptacle,all of said means being automatically operable, means for causing saidfirst and second means to be inoperative when said third means functionsto discharge the fluid from the wash wheel, and means to cause saidsecond means to be operative simultaneous with and subsequent to theadmission of fluid by said first means.

10. In a laundering apparatus for performing a succession of washingoperations and including a washing receptacle having an inlet for water,a dumping valve in the receptacle, means for admitting a predeterminedamount of water into the receptacle for each washing operation, atemperature responsive element in the receptacle, apparatus forautomatically controlling the temperature of the water in the receptaclefor difierent operations, means for causing said apparatus to 1controlling means to be inoperable .when the dump "valve is opened.

. JOSEPH S. JONES.

